Jalen Green wanted to be the No. 1 overall pick this year in the NBA draft, but the 19-year-old did not want that honor if it meant going to the Pistons in Detroit.
Green was selected second in the draft by the Houston Rockets, going just one pick behind Cade Cunningham with the top pick. He said throughout his stint in the Las Vegas Summer League that he should have been the top pick and used that as motivation on the court.
However, the possibility of landing in Detroit was not something that interested him.
“I wanted to be the No. 1 pick, but as for the location, I didn’t want to be in Detroit,” Green told Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports. “I felt a lot more comfortable in Houston. It felt like a real homey environment. With Detroit, it felt like I was just going back to the G League bubble, and I just got out of the bubble. That’s pretty much what it was.
“In the (G League) bubble, I didn’t really have anything to do but just stay in the gym. I didn’t have any time to get away for myself. The only time I had to get away for myself was in my apartment. That’s what it felt like in Detroit. I wouldn’t be stepping outside in Detroit. There are not many things you can do in Detroit like that. You’re going to stay in the gym and then go back to your apartment.”
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Green only worked out with the Pistons and Rockets during the pre-draft process and did not appear to like his short stay in Detroit while visiting with the team. Conversely, Cunningham has spoken very highly of the city since the organization won the No. 1 overall pick in the lottery.
The two players met on the court last Tuesday as they helped provide a highly entertaining contest. Green produced a game-high 25 points to lead the Rockets to the 111-91 victory, while Cunningham led the way for the Pistons with 20 points.
Certainly, Green did not mince words when speaking out against Detroit. The comments will virtually guarantee that he does not receive a warm welcome in the Motor City next season when the Rockets are in town.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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